Family Favourites
Nillumbik is full of activities that will ensure you never hear those dreaded words: “I’m bored.”
Here are six of the best the area has to offer.
Sugarloaf Reservoir
Tucked away in Christmas Hills, Sugarloaf Reservoir is a picturesque parkland with plenty to offer. The Saddle Dam picnic area is a pretty grassy open space with deciduous trees and water views, ideal for savouring a picnic. Wander down to explore the shoreline, and throw a line in. If you’re feeling energetic, there’s a challenging 18km walk around the breathtaking reservoir.
Omaru Alpaca Farm
Pop into one of Omaru Alpaca Farm’s Open Days for a dose of cuteness. The scenic property in Cottles Bridge is the ideal spot for a picnic. Feed the alpaca mums and pat the super-sweet babies before venturing along one of the walks to see the farm and take in the views. There’s also a farm store brimming with beautiful products made from alpaca fleece. The nearby village of Hurstbridge is a historic township with an enticing array of cafes and restaurants, boutique gift shops, parks, walking trails and oodles of charm.
Panton Hill Bushland Reserves
Extending from Smiths Gully in the north to Watsons Creek in the south, this series of reserves form a corridor of remnant bushland across 140ha. There is an extensive network of trails to discover, leading you through communities of rare and endangered plants and animals and past sites of cultural and historical significance. The Wurundjeri Food, Fibre and Medicine self-guided walk will give families a deeper understanding of how the Wurundjeri people used the land to provide food, medicines, clothing and shelter. Explore the Felix Borsari Wildflower Walk and look for wildlife in Bunjil Reserve. When you’ve worked up an appetite, the Panton Hill Vineyard and Winery is family-friendly.
St Andrews Market
Colourful, alternative and vibrant, the Saturday-morning St Andrews Market has become a Melbourne icon. Located in the foothills of the Kinglake Ranges, the market is packed with stores touting anything fresh, handmade, recycled and creative. The bush setting provides the perfect backdrop for wandering through a medley of fresh produce, plants and flowers, secondhand clothes, and locally made artisan wares. Buskers, pony rides and a tempting range of food add to the festival atmosphere.
Edendale Community Environment Farm
You’ll feel like you’ve escaped the city at the Edendale Community Environment Farm. Wander through the gardens dotted with artworks made from recycled items, stop to pet the goats and alpacas, visit the poultry pens and feed a guinea pig, or pop into the indigenous nursery for some goodies to plant in your garden.
You can kick back at the alfresco Eden Café while the kids play in the sandpit and walk along the Diamond Creek Trail to the Eltham North Adventure Playground, an impressive park where kids can explore, climb and swing on the new state-of-the-art equipment.
Diamond Creek Playground
This new nature-themed play space has something for everyone with dedicated junior and senior play areas, flying foxes, a nature play and cubby area, gym equipment, picnic shelters, seating and tables, barbecues and public toilets. Set in the natural parkland environment, it also backs onto the Diamond Creek Trail for anyone with bikes and scooters on board. And, of course, there is the Tram Café for all your snack and caffeine needs.
